I truly think a system like the German model has a chance to succeed in the US without causing so many knock-on effects that there’s immediate backlash. I know Medicare For All is the catchier phrase but I’m surprised so few even mention Germany as a possible US model.

Please understand when I say that Medicare sucks it is because it is literally my job to deal with CMS regularly. Medicare is a politicized and inefficient bureaucratic nightmare. Both fee-for-service and Advantage. Just go look up how BvsD determinations work and you’ll see why doctors would be reticent to take Medicare patients even if the reimbursement rate wasn’t shit.

It is still better than the current system. But let’s not pretend it’s awesome, it is extremely wasteful and if we got Medicare for All there would need to be some sweeping changes for it to actually improve health outcomes.

I work for a health insurer. I vote to put myself out of a job at every opportunity and would gladly get laid off if it meant everybody could access health care.

The entire US healthcare system is a debacle from top to bottom, I’m positive I could find another job at a different nonprofit working to improve some other aspect of this house of cards.

Not my comment, but I think it’s more that Medicare fucking sucks. But if everybody has it that would be better than now.